Former Australia batsman, Mike Hussey formed his own 15-man squad for Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa, in which the two extremely strong teams will play four Tests. The squad he has picked is more or less similar to the one playing the Ashes. Along with that, the 42-year old has also picked an uncapped all-rounder, in order to include a provision for extra pace in the playing squad.

Along with the 13 players that regained the Magellan Ashes this summer, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, who is playing the last Test in Sydney, is also on Hussey’s list. Hussey also made some unprecedented choices in his selected squad. Surprisingly, he chose to include an out-of-form Cameron Bancroft in the squad. Bancroft made his debut in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane, but could score only a single fifty in seven innings that he played.

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Mike Hussey constructs a balanced squad

Uncapped speedster Jhye Richardson has also found a place in Hussey’s squad as an alternative to Agar. Richardson will be making his international debut in the five-match ODI Series against England later this month. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis is also on the list, for his recent exploits with the bat. “He’s a good batsman, he’s played some excellent innings in one-day cricket for Australia and that might be a nice stepping stone for him to come up in the Test arena,” Hussey told cricket.com.au.

Explaining his reason for choosing Bancroft in his side, Hussey elucidated, “I’m going to back Cameron Bancroft in. I’m going to stick with the guy who’s in there for this series [the ongoing Ashes].” South Africa are currently hosting India for a three-match Test series, six ODIs and three T20Is. The first Test between South Africa and Australia is scheduled to kick off on March 1 in Durban. Hussey also made a out-of-the-box move by not selecting the feisty Glenn Maxwell in his 15-member team, in spite of his 590 runs in five Shield matches this summer after being dropped for the Ashes.